Western Counties (West)
Okehampton 12
Hayle 10
OKEHAMPTON got back to much needed winning ways in the league following a testing period for the club both on and off the field.
Having suffered a heavy defeat in the away fixture at Hayle earlier in the season, the players knew what they would be up against and responded well to secure the two league points and a bit more safety from relegation.
Much of the first half was controlled by Dave Bickleat fly-half, with a series of half-breaks and intelligent kicks into space building pressure on the opposition.
The home side were the first to score through Lee Pengelly. following excellent work from young Andy Brimmacombe at full back. The score rounded off a good week for Pengelly, having become a father on New Year's Eve.
The lead switched sides before the break as some poor defence left a gap for the Hayle fly-half to slice through and touch down beneath the uprights for a converted try.
The second half began with Okehampton turning on the pressure and resulted in a try beneath the posts for Jamie Hoggins. The ball was worked quickly from loose play with Richard Drake carrying forward and feeding the back line from the flank. It was then worked swiftly through the hands allowing Dave Muggliston to put Hoggins into space on the left.
With 20 minutes to play Okehampton put in an excellent defensive effort to keep Hayle in their own half and out of scoring range. The home side had so much possession in that last quarter they should have scored a number of tries, but at the final whistle all were content with their afternoon's work.
This week sees a difficult fixture away to Exmouth side Withycombe who have already beaten Okehampton twice this season. A reverse result and two more league points would be welcomed.